FBI, RIAA, MPAA team up
p2pnet.net News:- Sites carrying information centering on music and movie files not approved by Hollywood could soon become FBI targets.
The thinly veiled warning was made in an announcement giving details of a ‘broad initiative’ between the entertainment industry and the FBI “to combat the theft of copyright protected material”.
With American universities already enthusiastically helping the entertainment industry with its enforcement efforts against students, the FBI, RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America), MPAA (Motion Picture Association of America), SIIA (Software and Information Industry Association), and ESA Entertainment Software Association) say they’re forming a “working partnership”.
The announcement came from FBI Cyber Division assistant director Jana Monroe speaking, appropropriately, from the FBI’s Los Angeles field office when she also released an “Education Letter” designed to, “inform the public of the risks and vulnerabilities associated with sites where users exchange file information”.
Monroe introduced the FBI’s new “Anti-Piracy” seal and warning text to be displayed on future copyrighted materials.
The occasion also provided an opportunity for ex-ATF chief Brad Buckles, recently appointed as the RIAA’s executive vp and director of anti-piracy, to warn people to “learn the do’s and don’ts of copying and uploading to the Internet”.
[Could that mean Do buy entertainment industry 'product' and Don't do anything else? Just asking - Ed]
“As this seal attests, these are the serious crimes with serious consequences – including federal prosecution- to making unauthorized copies or uploading music without permission and consumers should be aware of them.,” he said. “We are grateful for the FBI’s dedication to helping all copyright owners enforce their rights.”
There are currently 60 FBI-led Cyber Task Forces throughout the US “which are uniquely positioned to investigate a wide range of violations – often having international facets and national economic implications,” says the FBI, adding:
“Some of these violations include fraud, identity theft, child pornography, and copyright infringement. Additionally the Cyber Division supports Counterintelligence and Counterterrorism investigations by analyzing terrorist threats, foreign intelligence operations and criminal activities precipitated by the illegal intrusions into U.S. computer networks.”
Speaking of LA, whatever happened to the LAPD captain who was busted for the alleged sale of ‘pirated’ and counterfeit DVDs following what’s described as a “joint undercover investigation” between the MPAA and Orange County District Attorney’s Office?
February 20th, 2004 at 3:44 am
I was raised a Catholic, so we were taught to believe in the holy trinity. But here before your very eyes is the total antithesis – the ‘unholy trinity’. These FBI warnings were pasted in 35mm film cans for years and I don’t think it deterred anyone at any time, especially those people who don’t happen to be residents of the USA. But as part of the ‘feel good’ mentality practised by the xxAA’s, I am sure they can trot out some statistics in 6 months proving how effective these labels are.
February 20th, 2004 at 5:41 am
Oh, Gawd! This just keeps getting worse and worse. Something drastic needs to be done FAST!
February 20th, 2004 at 4:18 pm
Shouldn’t the FBI be worrying about avoiding another 9/11 disaster and catching Bin Laden? Is everybody in the Establishment now in the pockets of “Big Music?”
February 21st, 2004 at 6:53 am
Is this not a way of paying lip service to the entertainment monopoly while not really wasting too much in the line of needed resources for the work of catching the real criminals?
February 21st, 2004 at 2:42 pm
The only way to put a stop to the RIAA and MPAA collections scam is to hit their members in the pocket book.
Stop buying music of artists who sign on member labels.
With todays technology no artist should be beholding to a record lable. With a web site, some decent software, a paypal account and using the p2p networks as an advertizing medium artists should be able to make a great living off their works freeing themselves from the predatory recording industry.
p2p networks are great ad mediums for several reasons. They’re wide spread and fullly intergratable with nealy a 100 milllion users. That folks is a fabulous market for any artist. Putting snippits in the network with links to their web sites, artists can thrive without the labels.
Now just spread the word and give authors hope.
aFreeMan
February 25th, 2004 at 7:44 am
Good plan. U2 is gonna go on paypal. The Stones as well? Send 50 cents to Mick Jagger. NOT!